Describe your design style or philosophy.
A home should reflect the people who live inside so I make sure my clients know that they are being heard throughout the design process and that I have their best interest at heart. A trusting client-designer relationship is the foundation upon which a beautiful, unique home is created. I assure my clients that I respect their lifestyles and design boundaries when I am helping them make decisions. I want them to feel confident in their choices for years to come because when a project ends for a designer, it is just the start for the clients and their new homes.
What’s the first thing you notice when you walk into a room?
The furniture layout and how it makes a room feel. Is everything pushed to the far walls creating a big awkward empty space in the middle? Is there too much furniture crammed into the room obstructing the flow of circulation? Is the scale of the furniture appropriate for the space? I also notice lighting or lack there of. Is there an opportunity to add more decorative lighting such as wall sconces or a statement chandelier to elevate the space? Do the bathrooms have adequate lighting especially in the vanity area? Lighting can make or break the design of a room.
What is your dream project?
I would love to design a home in the Methow Valley which is located just outside the North Cascades. It is one of my favorite areas in Washington state; in fact, I got married there. I love how the homes in the area strive to blend seamlessly into their environment with their material selections, not disrupting the natural beauty of the valley.
What part of the design process do you find most rewarding?
I love seeing all the selected finish materials such as architectural wall features, tile, flooring, and counter tops get installed. It is the greatest feeling walking into a job site and seeing that progress happening. Those materials really start to add the personality and the flair to the project.
In your opinion, what is the most fundamental element of interior design? Where do you start on a new project?
In my opinion, proper use of space and scale are the most fundamental elements of interior design. Rooms that do not flow properly or items that are too large or small for the space really stand out to me when I enter an area. I start with space first, seeing how all areas transition with one another. Then address the scale of selected items to make sure they feel right for the space.
Was design something you’ve always felt strongly about or was it a gradual process of finding your voice?
I have been interested in design ever since I was little. I remember my parents redoing a childhood bedroom of mine and asking for my opinion. My dream bedroom at age eight consisted of yellow wallpaper with white flowers on it, ruffled white valances on the windows, a white brass day bed with yellow floral bedding and a ruffled bed skirt. Even at that early age, I had a clear vision of a design direction and I remember being so proud of the result.
Favorite era of design?
Hands down, the Mid-Century architecture of 1960’s Palm Springs.
Favorite detail of your childhood home?
A wood burning stove fireplace we had in the downstairs den. It made the room so cozy.
Three words that most appropriately sum up your approach to design are…
Ambience, function and patience…lots and lots of patience.
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